The Knit Wits of KZN to Knit, en masse at Nelson Mandela Capture Site
On 15 June 2014, KZN ‘knit-wits’ from Zululand, Durban, Pietermaritzburg, the Midlands and the Drakensberg, will congregate at the Nelson Mandela Capture Site in Howick for a good cause.
The cause is 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day – an initiative that aims to collect thousands of handmade blankets which will be distributed to those in need on Nelson Mandela Day (18 July).
According to Carolyn Steyn, Founder of 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day: “This Father’s Day, we’ll be celebrating the father of our nation by hosting a concert organised by actress and our Midlands Ambassador, Annie Robinson, for our loyal ‘knit-wits’ who have been working so hard to create blankets for those less fortunate. Stitch by stitch we will be keeping people around our beautiful country – and around the world – warm this winter.”
The ‘knit-wits’ are in for a special treat with performances by acclaimed South African troubadour, Nibs Van der Spuy; passionate and versatile musician, Kaolin Thomson; one of South Africa's leading concert pianists, Christopher Duigan; Pietermaritzburg based musician and Idols finalist Erin Fourie, and Steyn’s goddaughter, Ella Grealy. Even if you are not a ‘knit-wit’ – join us for a great day out - dads are invited to join in too ….it is after all Father’s Day!
“Hundreds of the handmade blankets will be on display at the foot of the famous statue of Madiba for an official photograph. This photograph will illustrate the goodwill of South Africans and show the world the impact the father of our nation, Nelson Mandela has had on all of us. Already, we have collected over 670 blankets – we hope to collect hundreds more from our Kwa-Zulu Natal based ‘knit-wits’,” says Steyn.
67 BLANKETS FOR NELSON MANDELA DAY CONCERT
DATE: 15 June 2014
TIME: Concert starts at 12:00pm, Blanket handover to take place at 2:30pm
PARKING: There will be a designated 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day parking area
SPONSORS: Sound equipment and stage has been kindly sponsored by Selbys. The MC for the day will be Brendan Grealy who has been involved with the development of the Mandela Capture Site since its inception.
REFRESHMENTS: Everyone is encouraged to bring their own picnic baskets and picnic blankets. Food and drinks can also be purchased at the Capture Site.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day started as a challenge but has quickly grown into what some are calling a movement. It’s captured the attention of thousands of South Africans as well as corporates and hundreds of people in the UK, Australia, New Zealand. Canada, Germany, Cyprus, London, the US and India.
Joining the 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day movement is easy.The only requirement is that the single bed sized blanket or baby blanket has to be handmade – no store bought blankets will be accepted.
Blankets can be knitted or crocheted and should measure 150 cm x 200 cm. Most importantly, those who pledge to make a blanket must please keep their promise and complete the blanket or blankets by 1 July 2014.
Drop off points include Auto & General Insurance offices nationwide, the Auto & General Theatre on the Square, the Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa, The President's Award office in Grahamstown and Clifton Preparatory School in Nottingham Road in the Midlands Monday - Friday or contact Annie (abgrealy@iafrica.com)
Charity beneficiaries will be announced closer to the time.
For more information, please visit: www.67blankets.com
Twitter - @67blankets
Facebook - 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day
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